Influence of induction hardening on the damage tolerance of EA4T railway axles

•Influence of induction hardening on the fatigue strength of EA4T specimens was studied.•Artificial impact damages were introduced on as-received specimens and induction hardened specimens.•Both damage modes and failure mechanisms of as-received and hardened specimens were analyzed.•Positive effect of induction hardening on the damage tolerance of EA4T axles was discussed.